Swing Dance

 

At Swing-Out Edmonton, we teach several dances found under the umbrella term "swing dance" - partnered dances arising out of the 1920's - 1940's, done mainly to the Swing jazz music of the day.

 

Lindy Hop

 

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This is the grand daddy of swing dance, the dance that dominated stage and screen during the Swing Era! Lindy Hop is an exciting rhythmic dance originating in the ballrooms of Harlem in the 1930's. Our lessons focus mainly on Lindy Hop, building a solid base of fundamentals in the beginner lessons which are refined in the intermediate series.

 

Charleston

 

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The Charleston is considered the very first form of swing dance, blending the European tradition of partnered dancing with African movements and rhythms together under the influence of 1920's hot jazz. The beginner series includes an introduction to Charleston, which again is expanded upon in the intermediate series.

 

Blues

 

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When the night is old, your energy is low, but the music is getting slow and sultry, it's time for Blues. This is a more intimate and subtle dance, with a strong connection that makes your partner move. Wetouch upon the basics of Blues near the end of our beginner series, to highlight how to really connect with your dance partner.

 

Balboa

 

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Balboa is markedly different from the previous dances in this list; instead of evolving in Harlem ballrooms, this dance comes straight from the Balboa Peninsula of California, where its crowded dance hall didn't leave you enough room to break away from your partner! Balboa is a subtle but lively dance, filled with stylish footwork variations. Swing-Out Edmonton currently does not teach Balboa in either beginner or intermediate series, however we strive to offer optional intermediate-level Balboa classes during our Spring Fling workshops.